NAD ELECTRONICS CATERS FOR THE HUMBLE CD

3rd June, 2018

The affordable CD player is an endangered species, so it comes as welcome news that NAD Electronics has announced its new C 538, a CD player engineered for musicality, simplicity and value.

Though downloads and streaming continue to grow in popularity, many people still have a vast collection of CDs. Many manufacturers have stopped making CD players, so it's nice to see a new one at a sensible price from a good brand.

With claimed Best-In-Class Sound, Useful Features and Ease of Operation, the C 538 has been designed as either a music lover’s first CD player or as a quality replacement.

NAD says the C 538 employs many of the same engineering techniques found in audiophile players but at a fraction of the price. The internal Wolfson DAC is a good one and having Coaxial and Digital optical outputs allows the use of external DACs or integration into AV systems.

With NAD's history, we expect the sound should be good too, but we will wait to pass judgement until a review sample arrives.

Greg Stidsen, NAD’s Director of Technology told StereoNET:

NAD continues to innovate and develop its CD players to get improved performance while keeping prices affordable. So, whether you are creating your first home system, or upgrading your current CD player, music lovers should choose one like the C 538 that delivers high-quality sound.

Features

Plays CD, CD-R and CD-RW

Supports MP3 and WMA playback

Wolfson High Spec 24/192 DAC

Stereo Analogue Output

Coaxial Digital Output

Optical Digital Output

Repeat Mode for single track or entire CD

Program Play up to 20 tracks • Random Play

Functions: Repeat, Track, File Folder, All, A-B

Comes supplied with IR Remote

<0.5-watt Standby consumption

Detachable AC cord

The C 538 is available now however local pricing has not yet been confirmed. The NAD Electronics C 538 will sell in the UK with an MSRP of £249.00.

Gallery

Written by:

Rob Follis has been writing about tech on and off for over 40 years, is a designer, photographer, information omnivore, gadget-head, Hi-Fi afficionado, owner of far far too many things and sadly an unsuccessful app developer. A born & bred Londoner now happily living in Melbourne. Email Rob.

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